The year-long wait for a ministerial post and the sudden inclusion of nine members of Ajit Pawar's group in the cabinet has led to uneasiness among Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena MLAs. There is a reliable report that two MLAs had a fight on Tuesday evening over this issue. On hearing the news of the fight between the MLAs, the Chief Minister left the Nagpur tour halfway and returned to Mumbai. In his presence, efforts to reach the understanding of the MLAs on the 'Varsha' bungalow stayed till late on Wednesday night, sources said.
The inclusion of NCP leader Ajit Pawar in the nine-member cabinet is extremely displeasing among the Shinde group. The hopes of many aspirants from the Shinde group and the BJP were dashed as there was hope that the Cabinet would be expanded in the month of July. However, with the sudden arrival of a third party in power, their hopes were dashed.
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According to the new power equations, there is a possibility of the Shinde group getting only three to four more ministerial positions. Therefore, a rift has arisen among the MLAs of the Shinde group to get their name in this. Some MLAs have made a public demand to 'remove those who were able to enjoy ministerial posts for the past year and give others a chance'. In this way, there was a verbal clash between the two MLAs who claimed the ministerial post on Tuesday. Sources also informed that the dispute went to such an extreme that there was a minor scuffle between the two.
As soon as the quarrel between the MLAs came to light, the Chief Minister had to abandon his planned visit to Nagpur halfway and return to Mumbai. Interestingly, the Chief Minister did not plan a single program throughout the day on Wednesday. Sources informed that he was busy with meetings with important leaders of his group and political upheavals throughout the day. He held a meeting of party MLAs and MPs late in the evening. It is said that in this meeting, he advised the MLAs to understand and be patient.
Meanwhile, spokesperson Naresh Mhaske denied reports of unrest in the Shinde group. Although rumors are spreading that the MLA is upset, everything is going well. Mhaske claimed that the alliance has become stronger due to the participation of NCP.
Chief Minister's assurance
The MLAs of the Shinde group, upset over Ajit Pawar's cabinet inclusion, met Chief Minister Shinde in Thane on Monday, on the day of Guru Poornima. After that, on Monday evening, while talking to reporters at Shivaji Park, the Chief Minister had clarified that the Cabinet will be further expanded in the next few days. After that, a squabble started among the MLAs of the Shinde group to get a place in this extension. From that it is understood that two MLAs clashed with each other. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister is understood to have promised his MLAs to discuss with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding increasing the number of ministerial posts.
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